Just as I was walking out of the Liberal office Saturday evening going toward the parking lot, I looked up over the Colquitt/Miller County Fire Department to see a beautiful site. It was a full, harvest moon coming up out of the East. I was supposed to go somewhere, but that sight was so great I ran back inside to get my camera. I have never taken celestial bodies, especially at night as you can see.
I looked up to see when the full moon was this month, and it was at 6:01 p.m. Saturday, September 17.
This particular moon got its name because of the light it gives off at night at this time of year when the farmers, as far back as the Native Indians, needed to work to harvest the crops. Before our farmers had lights on their equipment, they had to quit working when the sun went down unless there was a harvest moon. This full moon was set apart from the others full moons because the moon rises just as the sun goes down. More importantly, at this time of year instead of rising it’s normal average 50 minutes later each day, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night for several nights so that the harvest work could continue into the evening.
This particular moon has been called all of the following: The Wolf Moon, the Snow Moon, the Worm Moon, the Pink Moon, the Flower Moon, the Strawberry Moon, the Buck Moon, the Sturgeon Moon, the Harvest Moon, the Hunter’s Moon, the Beaver Moon, and the Cold Moon.
As the moon seemed to rise higher into the evening sky, it lost its orange color and became a large, bright almost white light.
We are in the midst of harvest season, and the farmers can get more done on the large four and six row harvesting equipment in one day than they used to do in a season. The fields are much bigger, and the harvest is greater.
For the next month or so, this equipment will be on the road going from field to field. Drive carefully. We need our farmers growing our food and clothing.

These were some of the Hurricane Katrina victims who came to Colquitt while the giant killer storm ravaged their area. They are relatives of Mrs. Welthie Cleveland of Colquitt.
When they arrived in Colquitt, they had no idea if they would ever be able to return to their homes or if their homes would still be standing after the hurricane passed through.
The evacuees, all from the state of Louisiana, are Louis Guidroz, who is brother-in-law to Mrs. Cleveland and his daughter, Linda Guidroz; Linda’s son, Leslie Gaudet III, his wife, Jamie and their daughter, Cheyenne, and a friend of the family, Violet Bourgeois.
After visiting here a week or so, some of the evacuees headed back home to assess the damage and found some good and bad news. When they returned, they had no electricity, no water and no stores that were opened. The nearest open stores were approximately 30 miles away. Linda stated, “There is one Domino Pizza, and it took hours to be served due to the long lines waiting for the only warm meal in that area.”
The four-year old, Cheyenne, couldn't understand where all of her stuff and toys were. The children are going to school, but in shifts. They think maybe by October, they will be back on their regular schedule.
The ones that left Colquitt to go back home to assess the damage sent photos back to the ones still in Colquitt. The photographs showed the Guidroz’s home and vehicle sustained some damage from the wind and fallen trees, but it could be repaired. However, Linda’s son, Leslie Gaudel, of Marrero, Louisiana, was not that lucky. His home was completed destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and they are homeless.
Those people who returned stated that unless you were there, you could not imagine the damage. They told that those who made it past the storm are sick, and people are dying every day. There are 18 -wheeler morgues around to take care of the bodies.
Linda and her relatives stated that the people of Miller and Early counties have been wonderful. Her father, Louis, and his friend, Violet, are sill living in a home of some of their relatives until things at their home get better and more livable. There are no hospitals to go to and the lines to buy and get anything are very long. At this time, only one TV station is on the air.
They stated that the military presence is very strong to keep down the looting and burglaries. The curfews are very strict and will be so for quite awhile.
They stated that they will be back in the Colquitt area to check on their parents in the near future and take them home when it is safe and things get cleaned up.
Linda and her family stated they are so grateful for their family here in Colquitt. They would like to thank the people of Colquitt, Miller and Early counties who have shown their love and support by helping them in their time of need.
Linda stated, with tears running down her cheeks, "I don't know what we would have done had it not been for my aunt, Mrs. Welthie Cleveland, and other family and friends who have been so supportive of us at this most horrible time in our lives. We are so thankful to be blessed by your kindness. Also, I would like to thank the staff at the Miller County Liberal for letting me use their computers to get information from home and share the photos sent to share with our family still in Colquitt. You all are very special," commented Linda.

The first region game for the 2005 Miller County football season was held this past Friday night here at Richardson’s Field. What a game it turned out to be!! Pirate captains for the game were Quentin Douglas and Alfonzo Ross, and Rebels captains’ were Jamar Jackson, Brandon Sanders, Derrick Clement, and Tony Core. The Pirates won the toss and deferred to the second half of the game. As the game got underway, Craig Huntley received the opening kick and was brought down around the Pirates’ 33 yard-line. First and 10, Miller County’s own Jeremy Grant tried to pitch out to Brian Thompson, and the pigskin took a bounce but fell into Thompson’s arm. The Pirates’ offense was a little shaky and ended up punting away their possession.
First and 10 for the Rebels from their own 25 yard-line, it took a couple of plays, but Rebel Quincy Roberts picked up a first down. Again the Rebels had control, but the Black Death Defense led by Colter Harrell, Marc Tabb, Brandon Bush, and Brian Thompson, shut down the Rebels’ running game.
The Pirates began to drive down field with Brian Thompson; next # 28 Raym sond Williams carried several Rebels on his back as he struggled to pick up yardage. Third and in scoring distance, Grant handed off to B. Thompson to carry the pigskin in for the touchdown. The point attempt was on target, putting the Pirates on the scoreboard, 7-0.
The Miller County special kicking team got set up out on the field, and the ball was kicked and is received by Rebel # 3 Brandon Sanders. Sanders tried to go around but got tripped by his own players. First and 10 for the Rebels, Pirate-Defenders, Chris Worthy and Brandon Bush, put the pressure on. Third and 12 yards to go, Rebel QB attempted an air attack, but fell short as Brandon Bush stepped in the path of this spinning spiral. The Pirates would only have control for a short period of time, allowing the Rebels to take over on downs.
Again the Black Death Defense stood tall as Marc Tabb, Craig Huntley, Colter Harrell, Gabriel Broxton, Chris Worthy, Bush and Thompson put pressure on the Rebels’ offense, allowing Jeryn Collier to shoot the gap and sack the Rebel quarterback-Robert Ingram. Both the Pirates and the Rebels had control of the pigskin before the first half of the ball game ended with the score, 7-0.
During half-time, both sides of the stands were entertained by two great bands. The dance lines were awesome along with color guards. Both bands played some dynamic sounds as the fans stood and cheered. Our own Miller County Marching Pirate Pride Band performed beautifully and dedicated the performance to the many victims that have been touched by Hurricane Katrina. Their final number was great, and the crowd showed their appreciation in their rendition of “America The Beautiful” as the American Flag was displayed by the dance line.
The Miller County Pirate Cheerleader squad did their usual great cheering to keep the crowd and the MCHS Pirate team in a shouting mood to win.
The Pirates’ kickoff with Atkinson County # 3 Sanders receiving had the third quarter underway. Sanders was met by a host of Black Death Defenders: Justin Coon, Chris Williams, Terry Williams, and Marc Tabb. The Rebels just could not get anything going and were forced to kick away the ball to the Pirates.
Brian Thompson, along with Raymond Williams, Anthony Thompson AKA “Tweetie Bird” and Jeremy Grant, rotated on the carrying the ball to picked up a couple of first downs and put the Pirates down on the Rebels’ 18 yard-line. First and 10, Grant handed off to # 6 B. Thompson. Thompson went up the middle to score. The Pirates’ point attempt was blocked, but the score stood, 13-0.
What happened next was right out of the movies. The Pirates’ kicked off to the Rebels, and somehow during the scrambling, Miller County’s # 9 Anthony (Tweetie Bird) Thompson slipped the pigskin from the Rebel receiver’s hands and sprinted down to score. The score stood 21-0. This was unbelievable but true!!!!
The Pirates seemed to get a secure and let their guard down here in the Rebels’ next possession. First and 10 at the Pirates’ 22, ATCO went to the air and scored a touchdown. The point attempt is good, and the score stood 21-7.
The fourth quarter was nothing but a defensive game. Neither team scored again, but some fine defense was played from both sides of the ball. ATCO tried several passes, but they were broken up by a host of Pirates such as A. Thompson, Justin Coon, Craig Huntley, Jeryn Collier, and Quentin Douglas. Brandon Bush knocked away a couple of crucial passes intended for a Rebel Wide Receiver allowing once again the Pirates possession. First and 10 from their own 42 yard line, Grant handed off to Thompson. Thompson followed his key man, Colter Harrell. Harrell opened up a hole big enough you could drive a Peterbilt through, and Thompson picked up another first down. The scoreboard showing only seconds the Miller County Pirates knew that they had won their first region game with the final score of 21-7. Congratulation goes out to the team and coaches for their hard work and dedication. The many Pirate fans are proud of each and every one of you. Go, Pirates.
Next week, the Pirates will be hitting the road as they travel to Clinch County to face those screaming Panthers. The team and coaches hope to see all you Pirate fans there at the game. Game time is 8:00 p.m. Go, Pirates!

The time has passed for any other candidates to pay in to qualify for one of the two city council seats that will become vacant on December 31, 2005.
As of Friday September 16 at 4:30 p.m., Jimmy Phillips and Ken Roberts (incumbents) were the only two candidates to qualify for the Colquitt City Council seats in Districts 1 and 4.
Jimmy Phillips has served the City of Colquitt from January of 1996 to August of 1999 and then again from February of 2003 to present in District 1.
Ken Roberts has served the City of Colquitt in District 4, since July of 2004 when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of George Williams when he resigned.
Under current Georgia Law in a city election, if a candidate does not draw opposition, he or she is automatically elected to the office that they have qualified for unopposed.
It is not official, but according to those statues, the two incumbent city councilmen, Jimmy Phillips and Ken Roberts, will succeed themselves and will both serve full four year terms which will end on December 31, 2009.
Both councilmen stated that the city has lots to contend with in the near future and the next few years.
One official stated that the people of Colquitt are completely satisfied with how the city is being run, or they’ve got it in such a mess nobody wants to get in there and try to clean up the mess.
It is the hope of the taxpayers, and city customers who help to fund the city expenses, that everything is going as well as we can hope for.

Week of September 18, 2005